NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson and other local officials said Thursday that despite the past weekend's spate of shootings, including one on Canal Street that injured five bystanders, the city is ready to host its annual Carnival celebration.
Cantrell stressed that a coordinated effort that includes State Police and the FBI would make the streets safe.
Ferguson stressed that the investigation into the Canal St. shooting was ongoing and that once more information is available, it will be shared with the public.
Ferguson also added that gunshots from the suspect, who was killed a few blocks away by State Police, forced the officers' hands.
The press conference comes after five people were wounded and an armed robbery suspect was killed in a shootout with police on Canal Street Sunday night. New Orleans police say they confronted an armed robbery suspect before he pulled a gun and started shooting at officers.
“But in this case, responding officers were forced into a violent confrontation initiated by the suspect that unfortunately came to a tragic end,” NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson’s said in a statement.
That suspect was formally identified by the Orleans Parish coroner as 32-year-old Reginald Bursey.
